Food

April 25, 2013

In the past year, I have shifted towards eating more raw food. During the day time, all I eat is raw. Dinner is the only mean I typically eat that is cooked.

Raw food doesn't have to simply mean you are munching on carrots and apples. There are many delicious recipes you can make! RawEssence: 165 Delicious Recipes for Raw Living by David Cote and Mathieu Gallant is sure to inspire you to eat healthier.

This new raw food cookbook is part of the growing movement that advocates a cuisine that is eco-friendly, meets nutritional needs and is immensely satisfying and delicious.

These outstanding recipes were originally created for Crudessence, the authors' restaurant and catering service, which is based on respect for living things and global well-being, which in turn promotes a healthy and responsible lifestyle. Rich in nutrients and enzymes, the recipes are recognized for their ability to revitalize and alkalinize the body.

The recipes are relaxed and flexible, making this an ideal cookbook for those who are just beginning to embrace the raw-food lifestyle. Because it also features an emphasis on attractive food presentation, experienced cooks will find it equally satisfying.

Sections include:

Living Raw Foods Worldwide

Techniques and Utensils

Basic Recipes

Juices and Smoothies

Soups

Salads

Pâtés

Fermentation

Dehydration

Appetizers

Main Dishes

Desserts.

In full color throughout, dozens of color photographs provide inspiration for meals suited for every occasion. In addition to the recipes, there's a plethora of information about the benefits of living foods, ingredient properties and all manner of advice for a natural and healthy lifestyle.

Some of the recipes I can't wait to try are the pecan dill terrine, island lime pie, dark desire cake, and riccota roulade! Yum, these recipes will inspire me to eat more raw food at dinner time too.

Raw desserts are my favorite!

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

With three main ingredients, Pistachio Chewy Bites provide healthy snack lovers the amazing benefits of pistachios, cranberries and agave nectar in a delicious and nutritious bite-size bar. Pistachio Chewy Bites are heart-healthy, 100% all natural, gluten and dairy free, low in sodium, GMO free, vegan and a great on-the-go protein snack. They also have no cholesterol, zero trans-fat and are a good source of dietary fiber.

The above quote is a bit misleading, as there are more than just three simple ingredients. In addition, there is brown rice syrup, sunflower oil, cranberry flavor and sea salt. The dried cranberries also contain sugar and sunflower oil

When I first opened the package, I thought that they were overly packaged. Once I ate one, I see why each bite needs to be in its own plastic package, as it tended to stick to the wrapping and fall apart as I ate it. It was delicious, but I would prefer this natural snack was made with organic pistachios.

Pistachios are one of the three nuts identified as ones you should eat only organically-grown. LiveStrong explains:Pistachios

Non-organic pistachios may be treated with phosmet, a Class II pesticide. Studies at Cornell University indicate chronic toxicity in rats from long term, small doses of phosmet. A two-year mouse study showed increased liver tumors and carcinoma, and the pesticide is considered a category C carcinogen. Safe, organic pistachios are not exposed to phosmet or any other synthetic chemicals.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

April 11, 2013

I love Liberty Bottleworks because they are made in the USA; however, I prefer stainless steel to aluminum for my reusable water bottles. That being said, Liberty's unique click design and the fact they are MADE IN THE USA is quite awesome! It's amazing they sell for the same price or a little less than comparable Chinese made stainless steel bottles.

Liberty Bottleworks has "lost their freakin' minds" with the launch of a unique line of one-size-fits-all bottle insulators designed by Liberty and manufactured by Freaker USA.
The company is celebrating the product launch with a limited time offer of a free Freaker with any bottle purchase (Buy one, get one. Buy 10, get 10) from www.libertybottles.com
with the coupon code "freakin".

I like these soft, machine washable insulating covers way better than silicone ones commonly used with glass water bottles. I also love how they stretch to fit any size bottle.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

I have not tried the methods in this book; however, author Carl O. Helvie is a 38-year lung cancer survivor. In general, they are good healthy living tips in addition to cancer specific treatments.

Review
If you are ever diagnosed with advanced cancer, the odds are very good that your oncologist will tell you that unless you immediately consent to chemotherapy you are going to die. This is a lie! I know, I have been treating conventional chemotherapy failures for years. Other than for leukemia or lymphoma, conventional chemotherapy is almost always a death sentence. There are so many more effective ways to treat advanced cancer, and Dr. Carl Helvie's book, You Can Beat Lung Cancer: Using Alternative/Integrative Interventions, describes some of the most effective. In addition, his book is packed with references and information sources that will help anyone fighting cancer learn more about how to go about it successfully. --Frank Shallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM, Medical Director, The Nevada Center of Alternative Medicine, Editor: Real Cures Newsletter and Author

From the Author
This book was a joy to write because it discusses my experience with lung cancer 38 years ago when contemporary medicine gave me 6 months to live and I beat the odds of lung cancer and also the odds of 3 chronic illnesses and 5 prescribed medications (average for a 75 year old). And I used all natural holistic interventions so there were no side effects. Now at age 80 I am in excellent health and lead an active life, I want the same for others and realize it is so easy for those who are willing to live a healthy holistic lifestyle involving physical, mental, spiritual, relationships. environmental, and political components. Most of my other books have been textbooks for nursing and health students but this book and my last one are for the general public.

As Helvie writes, the major cause of lung cancer is smoking, but there are other risk factors as well, such as exposure to asbestos and arsenic. One causal relationship I was not aware of until skimming this book is that a diet low in fruits and vegetables is also a factor. In fact, consumption of green leafy vegetables protects against lung cancer even amongst smokers, according to Helvie.

I think this book is important for anyone diagnosed with lung cancer to read and discuss with their medical and alternative providers.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

April 5, 2013

Depending on where you live, strawberry season may be in full swing or a month or two away. Although I prefer fresh fruit, preservation is a great way to keep fruit through the winter. We were sent two recipes from The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook.

Rachel Saunders's The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook is the definitive jam and marmalade cookbook of the 21st century. In addition to offering more than 100 original jam, jelly, and marmalade recipes, master jam artisan Rachel Saunders shares all of her technical preserving knowledge, as well as her unique jam maker's perspective on fruit.
Rachel combines nostalgia with a modern, sustainable approach to creating fresh and vividly flavored preserves. The recipes are divided into chapters based on the seasons, and each chapter is organized by month and type of fruit. Sample recipes include Strawberry-Marsala Jam with Rosemary, Italian Lemon Marmalade, and Early Girl Tomato Jam.

More than 100 stunning photographs by Sara Remington illustrate each part of the preserving process--from the different stages of cooking to testing for doneness to the final canning stage. Each recipe includes an approximate yield and a suggested shelf life, in addition to details on recommended equipment, including Rachel's beloved copper jam pot. The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook gives all measurements by weight rather than volume, making it the most exact and reliable American jam book on the market. More than 20 recipe variations are provided, along with detailed information about common and rare fruits, hybrid varieties, and flavor combinations. Nothing is left to chance or overlooked; Rachel explains every aspect of jam and marmalade making in step-by-step detail. The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook is a one-of-a-kind, must-have resource for home and professional cooks alike.

The recipes we were sent were the Brandied Red Cherry Preserve, White Guava & Meyer Lemon Marmalade, and Italian Prune and Cardamom Conserve. All the recipes look easy to follow; however, I would like to see the whole cookbook to see if there are more standard recipes. I do really like how the book is arranged by season, so you know exactly when to be making what with local ingredients.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

April 4, 2013

When my father was first diagnosed as a Celiac, I remember shopping for speciality items in order to bake gluten-free. Now, Purely Elizabeth makes it easier with gluten-free whole grain baking mixes containing many organic ingredients.

As a member of One Percent for The Planet, we donate 1% of sales to non-profit organizations striving to help the health of our planet and future generations. This has included organizations such as Slow Food USA, Wellness in Schools, and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. One Percent for The Planet is a group of businesses committed to donating 1% of yearly sales to environmental causes. In 2012, we have decided to not only donate our 1% to the Climate Ride, but also participate in Climate Ride California, a 320 mile bike over a 5-day period raising thousands of dollars for environmental non-profits.

Having a clean environment, supportive relationships, sustainable exercise routine and a balanced work/personal life all intersect when we talk about health. As a company, we may not be able to make sure our customers get daily self- care but we can directly improve their lives by providing healthy food alternatives and doing our part to support the environment.

In addition to our current green practices, as our company evolves we strive to provide 100% green friendly packaging as well as source all ingredients from organic producers. In the meantime, all of our ingredients are either organic or natural- NON-GMO. We invest in only green friendly products in our office.

I love that these products contain superfoods like chia seeds.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

April 2, 2013

Who doesn't love getting a cookie pie in the mail? Well, I don't when I feel I have been mislead.

We were sent a Barbara's Hand-Made Cookie Pies Gourmet Oreo Creme Cookie Pie. The first clue this pie was not all natural was the word Oreo! These pies were promoted to us as all natural because they are "made with 100% natural butter cookie crust". Well is the crust all natural or is it just the butter? Clearly the toppings are not.

Our assortment wouldn't be complete without a version of OREO TM which reigns supreme as the best-selling cookie in the world. The OREO TM , tradition is carried forward with our Cookie Pie version. Appetizing sweet white crème sits atop a home-made butter cookie crust and is then garnished with genuine OREO TM pieces for an irresistible classic treat. Taste it and you'll know why OREO has a legacy all it's own. If you're looking for a gift, this variety can't miss. It truly is the best of the best and beloved by everyone. We use no added preservatives and only kitchen-fresh ingredients in our recipes. Each Cookie Pie is made fresh, then shipped to you. For maximum freshness and quality, they can stay at room temperature for approximately 7 days. If you don't plan on eating your cookies right away, we recommend refrigeration (for up to 14 days) or freezing them (for up to 3 months). Wholesome and pure ingredients go into each one of Barbara's Cookie Pies such as unbleached and unbromated flour, pure creamery butter (not oil), pure chocolate (not 'coatings'), whole eggs, pure vanilla extract (not artificial flavors,) premium preserves, fresh nuts and so on - overall the best quality ingredients we can find. As a small business, it can be challenging to obtain these products cost effectively, but after numerous kitchen tests and tastings, we taste the difference and hope you will too.

Amongst the scary ingredients are high fructose corn syrup and vanillin.

I was surprised that a serving is only 260 calories; that's the same as some granola or nut bars.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

"As people who eat, sleep and breathe popcorn, we pride ourselves in continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to the kernel. Our popcorn chefs worked hard to perfect the pop when developing each of our delicious FIT flavors that are perfect for any occasion," said Hitesh Hajarnavis, president and CEO of Popcorn, Indiana. "With this new line, snackers can have it all. With every delectable bite, FIT features a fresh and savory taste that puts the fun back into guilt-free snacking. There is no need to make any compromises."

Popcorn, Indiana's chefs, masters in the art of creating delicious high-quality snacks, crafted FIT in four mouth-watering flavors: Sea Salt, Parmesan & Herb, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Onion Dijon. Two of the flavors, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt, will carry the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. As with all Popcorn, Indiana products, FIT contains whole grains, is certified Gluten Free by the GFCO and is free of artificial flavoring and preservatives.

I am pleased at least two of the flavors (my favorite ones) are labeled Non-GMO!

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

SET I T AND GO CELEBRATE!
With the perfectly adapted recipes in this book, you can prepare all the holiday classics without spending hours in the kitchen! Simply toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and go enjoy the festivities with family and friends while dinner is cooking in the other room. From tasty appetizers and delicious sides to enticing entrées and heavenly desserts, Holiday Slow Cooker teaches you the easy, hasslefree way to make all the traditional favorites, including:
• Piquant Black-Eyed Peas
for New Year's
• Easy N'Awlins Slow Cooker Gumbo
for Mardi Gras
• Lobster Bisque
for Valentine's Day
• Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage
for St. Patrick's Day
• Leg of Lamb
for Easter Sunday
• Caramel Flan
for Cinco de Mayo
• Breakfast Quiche
for Mother's Day Brunch
• Buffalo Chicken Wings
for Fourth of July
• Autumn Pork Stew
for Halloween
• Pumpkin Butter
for Thanksgiving
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
for Christmas
• Challah Pudding
for Hanukkah
With full-color photos and great recipes, this book allows you to craft perfect dinners with minimal stress. Plus, the benefits of using a slow cooker go beyond tasty meals, they allow you to free up space on the stove, let dessert cook while you are enjoying dinner, and keep dishes warm for fabulous party dips, fondues and more.

I love cooking in my slow cooker, as it takes away the pressure of dinner preparations in the busy evening time.

I find it odd that the recipe for Maple Carrots has no maple syrup in it. Hmmm. There are very few vegetarian recipes included.

It is interesting that this cookbook is arranged by holiday, and I would love to make the chocolate fondue.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Sprout Organic baby food comes in all different stages from infant to toddler. The ingredient list is simple and understandable on each package. I did not taste this baby food, as I want to be able to give it to a family in need. My only criticism is the packaging, although BPA-free, is difficult to recycle. You can send them in for free to Terracycle though for upcycling.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

February 19, 2013

Modern Flavors of Arabia takes you on a culinary journey to the Middle East to explore a food culture that spans centuries. Each of the recipes will surprise and delight you and bring new colors, aromas and flavors to your table. Join Suzanne as she pays tribute to her mother's cooking and enjoy her refreshingly new take on the traditional--pilafs fragrant with herbs and spices, crepes speckled with pistachios and sweetened with rose syrup, scones enhanced with dates, orange and cardamom. Discover the secrets of perfect falafel, shawarma, and homemade labneh, and try other classic dishes such as kibbeh and fattouche. Recipes are arranged by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert and a whole chapter is dedicated to mezze. Suzanne's stories and ideas on how to serve each dish accompany the beautifully illustrated and easy-to-follow recipes.

Let Suzanne's refined Arabian cuisine inspire you. Fill your kitchen with the warm, exotic scents of the Middle East, and surprise yourself with how easy it is to create these mouthwatering delicacies at home.

It is not a vegetarian cookbook, but there are some recipes for veggies like me.

The photographs are beautiful and inspiring! I really want to make the Spiced Ricotta-Stuffed Dates and the Baked Baklawa Cheesecake. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

There are plenty of other recipes to round out a meal like Braised Stuffed Cabbage in Lemon Garlic Sauce and Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate Dressing.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

February 12, 2013

I am always a little reticent about zero calorie sweeteners, as I don't think they are the solution to weight loss. Healthy eating with lots of raw foods and exercise are the solution. Furthermore, many zero calories sweeteners are full of artificial ingredients that are harmful to your health, like aspartame.

NECTRESSE™ Natural No Calorie Sweetener is a combination of deliciously sweet Monk Fruit Extract blended with other natural sweeteners (erythritol, sugar and molasses) to bring you the rich sweet taste of sugar without all the calories...

Erythritol is an all-natural, sugar alcohol that is naturally fermented from sugars and is found in many vegetables and fruits. Erythritol contributes zero calories per serving of NECTRESSE™ Sweetener. Consuming erythritol from NECTRESSE™ Sweetener is not expected to result in laxative or other gastrointestinal effects that are known to sometimes occur with other sugar alcohols...

Monk Fruit is a round, green melon that grows on vines on remote mountaintops in central Asia. The fruit has been cultivated for centuries. An extract from the fruit has been recently re-discovered as an ingredient ideally suited for sweetening foods and beverages. Monk Fruit Extract is about 150X sweeter than sugar and contributes zero calories per serving of NECTRESSE™ Natural No Calorie Sweetener.

This product is made by the makers of Splenda, which does concern me, but Nectresse does not contain any of the sucralose found in Splenda.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

February 8, 2013

Even the most devoted parents to cooking organic whole foods for their family sometimes has a rushed evening when they need a quick meal. Of course, it is great to freeze some of your own leftovers for such a pinch, but another alternative is organic frozen food like Mom makes.

Mom Made Foods uses organic ingredients and encourages you to take their healthy pledge:

Have you made a pledge to get healthy? Mom Made wants to make it easier for you to keep your commitment to feed your family healthy food, and to teach your kids that nutritious can be delicious! Mom Made cares deeply about children's health and nutrition, and we pledge to do our part to make positive changes. It's not a New Year's resolution; it's what motivates us every day at Mom Made!

Mom Made invites you to take our Healthy Pledge, and receive healthy tips, recipes, deals and more from us all year long.

"I pledge to nourish my kids with the foods they love that are also good for them; read nutrition labels; cut out artificial junk; and help my children learn about the importance of good healthy eating."

Mom Made Foods remind me of some of the traditional frozen food I grew up with like mac and cheese and the above products my children liked. I am pleased to see more options of convenience available organically, but my daughter did say my apple pie is much better than the frozen kind!

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

The more than 7 million vegetarians and 3 million vegans in the United States alone are proving that chowing down on planet-friendly fare not only helps them look and feel better, but it can be delicious, too. In her debut cookbook, Karma Chow creator and celebrity chef Melissa Costello shares an exciting collection of 125+ recipes that will be a welcome addition for anyone already following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or for the growing number of people embracing more plant-based meals. As personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of the bestselling P90X® fitness system, Melissa is constantly finding creative ways to keep Tony and her other clients happy, fit, and fueled.

The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook shows anyone how to reconnect with their food and honor it as Earth's source for keeping us alive--all while finding it easier to rock their workouts and sculpt a well-defined physique. It's a winning recipe for success for anyone looking to transition to a healthier way of life!

Some of the recipes I can't wait to try are:

Indian-Spiced Coconut Yam Soup

Cherry Pecan Quinoa Muffins

Kale Slaw with Creamy Pumpkin Seed Dressing

Sunflower Seed "Pate"

I really like how many of these recipes have accompanying photographs. The images help me decide what I would like to make, inspire me, and help when cooking to see what the final result will be.

disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.